Old Madam

Biodata

Background

Old Madam Lu came from a noble military family and lived in the Hall of Longevity. She and her husband had compelled their grandson Lu Zhengliu to marry Lin Yunwan when the Marquis Residence was facing a crisis 2 4.

By the time the two boys entered the household, Old Madam Lu had largely left its management to Yunwan. She considered Yunwan capable and recognized that Wei Shi could not manage the family on her own 4 17.

Personality

Old Madam Lu placed great importance on the Lu bloodline and the family’s reputation. She concealed Qing’s parentage to bring him into the household and worried that Ge Bao’er’s conduct would expose the family to scandal 1 8 22.

Her treatment of others often followed what she believed would benefit the family. She praised Yunwan’s judgment while expecting her to shoulder household grievances; when Ge Bao’er seemed to have powerful origins, she reconsidered her position despite her earlier hostility 25 67 94.

Story Role

Adoption and Ge Bao’er’s arrival

Old Madam Lu helped arrange for Qing, her great-grandson, to enter the Lu household. She and Lu Zhengliu initially intended Qing to be registered as the legitimate son and Lu Chang’gong as an adopted son, but Yunwan demanded that Chang’gong become her legitimate eldest son 1 3.

Though she initially rejected Ge Bao’er because of her relationship with Zhengliu, Old Madam Lu relented for Qing’s sake. Bao’er entered the residence under the guise of Old Madam Lu’s grandniece and was kept in the Hall of Longevity, where Old Madam could watch her 2 3 8.

Old Madam Lu took a particular interest in Qing’s education. She blamed Yunwan when Qing appeared overworked, only to learn that he had pretended to be ill. She later insisted that he study for the imperial examinations and arranged a test of both boys’ progress 20 30 38.

Scandal and the divorce dispute

During a visit from the Xia family, Old Madam Lu ordered Bao’er confined. Bao’er’s attempted hanging nevertheless exposed Zhengliu’s involvement with her. After learning about Bao’er’s past servitude and confirming that she was legally free, Old Madam allowed Zhengliu to keep her as a lowly concubine but required her to sign a new deed of servitude 46 56 67.

When the Lin and Lu families debated ending Yunwan’s marriage, Old Madam Lu rejected a mutual divorce and ordered Zhengliu to divorce Yunwan on grounds of childlessness and disobedience 78.

The jade pendant and Yunwan’s departure

After learning that Bao’er might be the missing legitimate daughter of Duke Xingguo’s Residence, Old Madam Lu questioned her about a jade pendant and ordered Zhengliu to separate from Yunwan. He refused 92 94.

Old Madam Lu later feigned illness to avoid Lu clanspeople demanding Bao’er’s removal. She plotted to obtain the pendant from Yunwan and allowed Bao’er to accompany her to the family’s Buddhist retreat, warning Bao’er not to act on her own 104 105.

Following Yunwan’s apparent death, Old Madam Lu persuaded Zhengliu to send Bao’er to Duke Xingguo’s Residence rather than kill her. As the household began to unravel, she realized how much it had depended on Yunwan 114.

Illness and death

In later years, Old Madam Lu became bedridden and accused Bao’er and others of harming her. Bao’er secretly added medicine to her dose, while Nanny Yan—whom Bao’er paid—treated her harshly 229 235 236.

Lu Changzong reported his mother Bao’er to the authorities for poisoning Old Madam Lu. Before dying, Old Madam confessed her regret over mistreating Yunwan and admitting Bao’er into the family 259.

Relationships

• Lu Zhengliu — Her grandson. She helped arrange his marriage to Yunwan and repeatedly yielded to his attachment to Bao’er, though she also tried to direct his decisions 2 3 94.
• Lin Yunwan — Zhengliu’s wife. Old Madam relied on her household management but opposed her efforts to leave the marriage; she regretted mistreating her before her death 4 78 259.
• Ge Bao’er — Qing’s birth mother and Zhengliu’s concubine. Old Madam alternated between restraining her and seeking to use her supposed ducal connections; Bao’er later poisoned her 8 67 94 259.
• Qing / Lu Changzong — Her great-grandson. She favored him as a blood descendant and sought to secure his education and place in the family 1 30 38.
• Lu Chang’gong — A boy from a distant Lu branch whom Yunwan wanted as her legitimate eldest son. Old Madam was reluctant to place him ahead of Qing 1 3.
• Wei Shi — Her daughter-in-law. Old Madam considered her unable to manage the household independently and sometimes rebuked her for neglecting family affairs 4 38.
• Nanny Yan — Her trusted attendant and confidante, who helped her manage sensitive household matters. Later, Yan accepted money from Bao’er and mistreated Old Madam during her illness 8 41 236.

Items

• Buddhist prayer beads — Old Madam handled them while discussing how to deal with Bao’er and while considering the search for the jade pendant 43 108.
• Wooden fish — Used by Old Madam in the Hall of Longevity 108.

Notable Quotes

“A family needs more than descendants. If you can’t hold the Lu family up, then even after you’ve raised Qing, all you’ll leave him is a mess.” 8

“The Lu family has only lost a principal wife. How... how did things come to this?!” 114